The Mira Hong Kong

Prologue

Opened in September 2009 as the flagship property of Miramar Hotel and Investment Company, The Mira Hong Kong is positioned as an upscale design-driven business hotel that has since become one of the places to be seen in. Formerly the Hotel Miramar, the property was extensively redesigned by an international team of architects including Hong Kong’s Edmond Wong and Andrew Choy, as well as Miami-based Charles Allem, with interiors by British lifestyle guru Colin Cowie.

Location / Accessibility

Centrally located at the corner of Nathan Road and Kimberley Road in Tsimshatsui, the hotel is situated amidst plenty of dining, entertainment and shopping options that Hong Kong is renowned for. Being opposite Kowloon Park gives it the added advantage of a spot of greenery for guests seeking an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The local Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and the Star Ferry are a short walk away, from which the rest of Hong Kong is easily accessible. Buses are also plentiful, covering both the city area and beyond. Arriving by the Airport Express, we got on the convenient shuttle bus connection from Kowloon Station and were at the lobby within 15 minutes.

Arrival Experience

We were welcomed and escorted to check-in by the door greeter and bellman who was quick to offer luggage assistance. A combination of dark marble, light columns and low ambient lighting creates a chic atmosphere in the lobby.

Check-in was very professional and swiftly done with the use of iPad tablets keeping the entire process clean and paper-free. Our request for adjacent rooms were efficiently met by the friendly staff, who also clearly explained the hotel and guestroom features.

Guestrooms

The cool and clean interior decor continues upstairs on the guestroom floors, where dark wood paneling and illuminated room number markings give it a seductive feel reminiscent of a members-only club. Behind the doors, The Mira Hong Kong’s guestrooms are differentiated by colours that subtly contrast against the predominantly black scheme.

Our room, a City Room overlooking the open-air Vibes lounge bar in the courtyard, featured a white and gray colour palette which brightened the space and made it feel larger than it was. Stylish and functional, it features comfortable and supportive twin beds that can be combined to form a King-size bed, with soft linen and a selection of pillows from the pillow menu. The only downside was the absence of the Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair that the hotel touted as a key design and room element.

The marble bathroom is cleverly divided into separate shower and vanity spaces to maximize the limited area, while bringing about added convenience for travelling couples. We loved the refreshing rainforest shower which was accompanied by designer bath products and plush towels, as well as the inbuilt stereo system that played tunes off our iPod connected to the Bose sound system.

The Mira Hong Kong’s in-room technology is one of the best we’ve seen and reflect the hotel’s thoughtfulness towards guests. The interactive LCD television is of a good size and offers several operating modes. Complimentary internet allows connectivity throughout the stay and the Sony Vaio PC allows work to be done even if guests are without a laptop, while the Bose sound system doubles as a charger for iPods and iPhones. One of our favorite features is the MyMobile cellphone that has a direct link to the concierge. Very handy when out on the streets and needing a restaurant reservation in a hurry.

Dining

6 restaurants and bars serve up a variety of flavours. We had evening drinks at Room One, which served as a nice prelude to Knutsford Terrace nearby while COCO’s excellent gourmet coffees and chocolates were the perfect remedy the next morning. Not to be missed is the Michelin-starred Cuisine Cuisine at The Mira, offering contemporary Cantonese dishes.

Facilities

Business travellers will be glad to know that The Mira Hong Kong has one of the largest multifunction meeting spaces in Kowloon, while leisure travellers can indulge in the wellness facilities at the award-winning MiraSpa. Despite it being an indoor facility, we found the infinity pool a comfortable space to enjoy some quiet downtime.

Service / Staff

No complaints about the staff and service levels. The concierge was able to offer useful information while reception had our faulty keycard reprogrammed effortlessly. All the staff we encountered were polite, pleasant and ready to offer assistance.

Verdict

In a competitive hospitality market, The Mira Hong Kong holds its own against newer rivals with a superb location, timeless design, investment in technology and excellent service. The hotel is good value-for-money and an ideal base for work or play in Hong Kong.